The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 386

February 16, 2013

The Dictionary Project

The Republican Women of Henry Co. is once again looking for folks to sponsor the Dictionary Project. Our goal is get a dictionary into the hands of every public school 3rd grader in Henry Co. This is our 10th year with this wonderful project and we are currently at 46% sponsorship. We need your help, and do the kids. The dictionary contains more than words, it also has the Constitution, Bills of Rights, periodic table, multiplication table chart, sign language, braille, and the longest word in the English language (1909 letters). We tell the kids it's on their spelling test, always gets them to open the book. The book also contains information on the Presidents, Countries and the solar system. It is literally a wealth of information. Rocky Creek 3rd grade The Dictionary Project is becoming a legend of its own. The kids who have older siblings have heard of it. They love the sign language and the longest word. The books are presented to each school along with an explanation of what it contains and all donations are tax deductible. Sponsors are given the opportunity to attend and see for themselves what a difference a simple book makes. Books are $2@ in a case of 24, which comes to $48 a case. Most schools require 4 - 5 cases. Anything helps. Sponsoring one case, or 5 books brings us that much closer to getting this book into the hands of the kids. It is a worthwhile investment in their future, and yours. If you have any questions, or just want to make a donation, please contact: Katie Queen at 770-584-4206 You can find more information at WWW.DICTIONARYPROJECT.COM Thank you for your sponsorship in advance.

In This Issue:
Page Feature 1 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 10 The Dictionary Project Ralstons Ethics Bill

Justice For Sale in Georgia

Precinct Organization Project Henry County Airport Unicorns & Rainbows Thank you, Warren John Douglas for Congress St. Patricks Day 5K Run Cobb ESPLOST Event Henry TEA Party Cherokee GOP meetings

Over 69,000 reads at Scribd.com

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Ralston Protecting a Cash Cow Inhibits citizen activists

In an email from Georgia Tea Party Patriots As many of you are aware, Georgia House Speaker Ralston introduced an Ethics Bill that required citizens to register as lobbyists and pay a fee. Rep. Donna Sheldon and Rep. Ed Lindsey have been working to modify it so tea party activists will accept it. Speaker Ralston will make the final decision on whether or not to accept it. It has been amended to requiring only those at the Capitol representing groups (this would include tea parties) more than five days during the legislative session to pay a $ 25 registration fee online, fill out an affidavit that states you will not be making lobbyist expenditures and there will be no reporting required. You will have to wear a badge that says "Lobbyist" on it like the paid lobbyists do. We suggested a badge that says "Citizen Activist' on it, but not sure if they would agree to that. Please give me feedback asap. We need your input and vote. Debbie@teapartypatriots.org or jthompsongop@yahoo.com 1. Do you support or oppose wearing a badge that says Lobbyist on it if you will be at the Capitol more than 5 days during the legislative session with no reporting required. 2. Would you support wearing a badge that says Citizen Activists on it?

Our reply: The Citizen does not believe that citizens who are activists, approaching or consulting or even
expressing opinions to legislators should wear any badge - regardless of the number of days they may be at the capitol.

Furthermore, we do not believe a group, such as the TEA Party, is properly defined as lobbyists. The TEA Party offers no contributions, gifts, fees, perks of any kind to legislators. Lumping all citizens into the same class as professionals whose job is to spend money to gain influence is slick move by Speaker Ralston. His motives are not about ethics reform, but limiting access to those who pay to play.

JUSTICE FOR SALE IN GEORGIA

Throughout history we have known the corrupting influence of money on the administration of justice. Isaiah was a prophet who lived in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah. Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon. So we can look to the historical context for analysis. The nation of Judah was indicted for perverting justice through bribery, where matters were being decided by those in authority on the basis of money rather than the merits (Isa. 5:20,23). The effect of money on the administration of government is no less pervasive and no less insidious today than it was in the 8thcentury BC. While the corrupting effects of illegal bribes are obvious, there are more subtle means by which the American system is corrupted through lawful payments of cash or other items of value. Political campaigns are extremely expensive. The cost of television and radio advertising, printed materials and paid staff makes ready money the best friend a political candidate could have.
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The nature of justice in the Judeo-Christian culture requires judges and leaders to distance themselves from the lure of personal and financial gain that could influence civil and legal decisions. In the Law of Moses (Ex. 23:8) we see forbidding influence of legal decisions through gifts. And people are commanded to choose leaders who would not receive or be influenced by bribes (Deut. 16:19). Unfortunately the civil structure is driven by greed and acquisition. Pay to Play Incumbent office holders are in the best position to accord favorable treatment to their donors and are the most common beneficiaries of fund raising efforts. Even though there are legal limits on the amounts an individual can contribute, political fund raising often avoids limitations by a practice known as bundling. Contributions can be made in the names of minor children, spouses, corporate entities or others who are not the actual source of the contributions. In addition to campaign contributions professional lobbyists and special interests often wine and dine politicians and provide them with perks such as trips to expensive resorts (fact finding missions), front row seats at premium sporting events, or hefty speakers fees for addressing their interest groups. Of course, the lobbyists and politicians alike deny that such gifts and services are calculated to influence decisions.

Yet both readily admit that such gifts do provide access for the lobbyists!

The clear implication is that those who do not provide such largess do not have access to their elected officials, a fact the poor and many who do not contribute to political campaigns will affirm. The sad reality in America today is that far too often when it comes to obtaining justice in any area of government, you only get what you pay for. A bribe by any other name is still a bribe. Georgias Speaker makes power play David Ralston, Speaker of the Georgia House, has proposed a bill that defines citizens, activists and concerned taxpayers as lobbyists. Proposed regulations on "grassroots lobbying" impose greater restrictions and infringe on the constitutionally protected right to petition government for redress of grievances, and the right of individuals and groups to address the government. The right to petition was enumerated in the Declaration of Independence which was a statement telling the world just why the United States was rebelling against King George III. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. Originally, the First Amendment applied only to laws enacted by the Congress. However, starting with Gitlow v. New York, the Supreme Court has applied the First Amendment to each state. This was done through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, by what is called the Incorporation Doctrine. Incorporation is suggested in Edwards v. South Carolina, 372 U.S. 229 (1963) and is essentially the basis of Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996).

As a United States citizen, you have the right to Petition...

Congress state government and legislatures courts at any level

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Under the right of petition, individuals and groups of citizens and corporations may lobby for laws and policies that favor them. On its face the so-called Ethics Bill that Ralston has proposed is unconstitutional. It is the type of law the prophet Isaiah wrote about:

Woe unto those who enact evil statutes, And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, So as to deprive the needy of justice, And rob the poor of My people of their rights, In order that widows may be their spoil, And that they may plunder the orphans (Isa. 10:1,2).

TEA PARTY PATRIOTS

Precinct Organization Project
We have received funding to begin a massive, state-wide precinct organization project. We want to organize down to the block captain level in key precincts. I have already been reaching out and meeting with tea party organizers, 9-12 activists/groups and Campaign for Liberty activist/groups to bring them on board as part of the team. We are reaching out to tea parties state-wide to get involved and be part of the leadership team and planning for this project. I don't have the contact info of some of you, so please call me at 678-761-6725 or email me at debbie@teapartypatriots.org and I will either meet with you or talk on the phone and go in greater detail about the project. Everyone I have talked to about this project has been very excited. I will be going to Savannah a day next week and meet with activists there. We want to begin now and do many of the same things the Obama campaign did as part of their highly successful ground game. This is an exciting project and conservatives will reap benefits for generations to come. We are also planning a state convention in the June time-frame. We will have break-out sessions to train activists on door-to-door canvassing, GOTV, how to expand and grow your tea party, how to lobby for legislation and the nuts and bolts on how to read and understand legislation, information on the Fed, how to get media attention and PR techniques, how to use social media, etc. We are open to suggestions for other topics. We will have main sessions as well where you can hear keynote speakers such as Sen. Rand Paul and others. We want this to be informative and training but also hear speakers you will be interested in.

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WWW.WEAREHENRY .COM HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/#!/WEAREHENRY

Yeah, we are pitching this new magazine covering Henry County. Check it out! We are Henry is a magazine dedicated to telling the stories of the great people in Henry County. Our goal is to connect each person through their experiences. The more we learn and know about those that live around us, the more we become a tight knit group of citizens. We are moving and growing together. Our community is our home.and We Are Henry.

Henry County Moves Forward with Airport Expansion Plans Under Local Control and New Name
HTTP://WWW.CO .HENRY.GA.US/NEWSARTICLE.ASPX?AID=1336

In a bold move that indicates a slight change of direction for the airport Henry County purchased in 2011, the Henry County Board of Commissioners moved during a called meeting Wednesday night to terminate the contract it had with AvPORTS to manage the airports operations. in its first year of operations, it nearly broke even, having lost just over $16,000, and in the first six months of FY2013, it made nearly $40,000 through hangar leases and fuel sales. Were not interested in making money selling fuel, exclaimed District 4 Commissioner Reid Bowman during the meeting. We are interested in the jobs and the revenue that will be created by the buildings being built. These jobs are expected to come once expansion plans, particularly Phase I, are complete, and it is important to note that the termination of the AvPORTS contract is not slowing down construction progress. Phase I, which involves lengthening the runway to 5,503 feet and widening it by 25 feet, is expected to be complete in August, just in time for the NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway over Labor Day weekend. Phase II involves land acquisition to relocate Mt. Pleasant Road in order to create a Runway Protection Zone, and the design and construction of the new roadway.

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Both phases of the expansion are projected to cost $8.2 million, which is being funded largely by the Federal Aviation Administration and Georgia Department of Transportation. As a result, though it stands to gain enormously through increases in air traffic, fuel sales, hangar leases and taxes once both phases are complete, Henry County will pay just $419,894 for both phases of this much needed expansion. But the real beneficiaries in all of these plans are the people of Henry County. Hundreds of highpaying new jobs are expected to be created as the land surrounding the airport totaling thousands of acres begins to develop with airframe and avionics industries and other businesses who require nearby airports as part of their operations. Corresponding with the Boards desire to maintain local control of the facility, and ensure that the airport is identified as part of this burgeoning community, Commissioners also elected to rename the airport Henry County Airport and change the associated city to Hampton. Henry County will also seek to reserve the local identifier of HMP in order to link it with the newly designated associated city, Hampton. If were going to get serious about promoting Henry County, the name needs to be Henry County, explained Chairman Smith. We ought to have our own identity.

Facts have no place in the Land of Unicorns and Rainbows

"NOT ONE DIME" statement by OBAMA, sound familiar? He used that promise for Obamacare & not raising taxes. But you believe him this time, right?

SOTU: Nothing I'm proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime. -BHO
For starters how about we finally consider... 1.) We're on day 1,386 without a budget. 2.) $6 Trillion added to national debt since BHO took office. 3.) $46 trillion in spending from BHO's FY13 budget through 2022.
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4.) Sequester is BHO's baby. He signed it into law. 5.) No new taxes to middle income? 6.) Stagnant economy, NO jobs, high gas prices, inflation.. 7.) Offshore oil and natural gas drilling declined 61% under BHO. 8.) Gallon of gas has increased 96% since BHO took office. 9.) Family health care premiums has risen 24% under BHO. 10.) Median household income declined $4,520 since BHO took office.

Thank you, Warren, for over 40 years public service

Warren Holder honored in House for Public Service to Henry County; City Council, School Board, Board of Commissioners

Officials propose stripping TSPLOST 'penalty'

Senate Bill 73 was introduced Tuesday by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, and targets a provision in the original special-purpose local-option sales tax for transportation enabling legislation that would effectively remove the TSPLOST penalty provision that requires local governments whose regions rejected the sales tax to pay more for transportation grants. Taxing any one part of Georgia simply because they did not pass a tax increase is un-American," Albers said in news release from the Senate. This is unfortunately the case for 113 counties across the state that voted against the TSPLOST tax.

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John Douglas for Congress

Retired Army Officer and former GA State Senator John Douglas for Georgia's 10th Congressional District.

John Douglas addresses the Republican Women of Henry County

For the latest updates on our congressional campaign, please visit Douglas for Congress on Facebook, like our page and follow our progress. We are rolling forward!
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/#!/DOUGLASFORCONGRESS?FREF=TS

St. Patricks Day 5K Run/1M Walk

This year, make plans to be a part of our 3rd Annual St. Patricks Day 5K Run/1M Walk benefiting the Sacred Journey Hospice Foundation! Last years run attracted over 500 participants. This years run will be held next Saturday, March 9th at 9:00am at Salem Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. A number of activities are planned for the event including a 5K Run, 1K Walk/Run, and a Leprechaun Leap for children six and under. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded to the top three participants with the most St. Patricks Day spirit! Awards will be presented to the 1st-3rd male and female winners, and all participants will receive a t-shirt (day of registrants not guaranteed). After the race, be sure to visit our many sponsors, such as Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, B2B Eagles Landing, New Sole Running and moreIf youre interested in sponsoring, download a sponsorship form.
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7:45am On-site registration and packet pick-up begins 8:45am On-site registration and packet pick-up closes 9:00 5K Race 9:45 1 Mile Walk 9:45 Leprechaun Leap 10:00 Awards The race will begin in the parking lot of Salem Baptist Church located at 1724 Highway 155N, McDonough. Advance packet pick-up will be available at New Sole Running in McDonough, but youll need to register online at ACTIVE or download and complete an entry form.

OBAMA'S 24% MINIMUM WAGE HIKE IS ONLY A P.R. MOVE FOR A MISERABLE, SICK ECONOMY MINIMUM WAGE HIKES ARE ALWAYS A JOB KILLER

Upcoming Cobb E-SPLOST Event

FEBRUARY 19, 2013
CTA members are encouraged to attend, participate and make their voices heard on behalf of
taxpayers at the following event:

School SPLOST Meeting, Sope Creek Elementary, Tuesday, February 19th, 7 p.m., 3320 Paper Mill Road, Marietta. This meeting will feature the E-SPLOSTs most prominent champion, school
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board member, Scott Sweeny. See below for some suggested questions/arguments you can make against the E-SPLOST. This is a great opportunity to ask the tough questions. The format will be heavily skewed in favor of the E-SPLOST, which is all the more reason why we need to be out there in force. Please let CTA know if you plan to attend by RSVPing a text to: 404-925-8960.

For more information about CTA, go to: www.cobbtaxpayer.com

Henry County Tea Party will meet on Monday, February 25 from

7:00-8:30P.M. in the Community Annex Room at 116 Zack Hinton Pkwy, McDonough. Please email hctpp1776@gmail.com with any questions.

Contact John Marinko 770-330-6941 /JohnMarinko@aol.com Cherokee County Republican Forum The Cherokee County Republican Party is sponsoring a Forum to present all of the Cherokee County and 11th District State Legislative Members. They will share their vision for 2013 and comment on the bills they are supporting or against. They will be available for questions. We encourage everyone to attend this very important and informative event. All forums are on the third Monday at 5:30 PM, The 2nd floor court room at the Historic Cherokee County Courthouse, 100 North Street, Canton, GA 30114 This event is free of charge and open to the general public. No food is allowed.

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